A new record of a rare labrid, Suezichthys notatus (Actinopterygii: Labridae), from Taiwan, with comparison to related species from Taiwan

Abstract

Three specimens of a rare labrid, Suezichthys notatus (Kamohara, 1958) were recently collected from local markets, which were captured from deep-water off northern and southwestern Taiwan, and represent a new record for Taiwan. Suezichthys notatus can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: scale rows above lateral line 2½; low scaly sheath present at base of dorsal and anal fins; dorsal-fin element IX, 11; anal-fin elements III, 10; lateral line scales 25‒26, each with simple, unbranched laterosensory canal tube; cheek scale rows behind and below eye 2 and 2‒3 respectively; a group of prominent dark blotches extending from the interorbital region dorsoposteriorly; body depth at dorsal-fin origin 3.7‒3.9 in standard length; short pelvic fin without filamentous extension, 2.2‒2.5 in head length. Suezichthys resembles the labrid genus Pseudolabrus, comparison of Taiwanese species of Suezichthys with those of Pseudolabrus are given.